It’s hard to imagine a huge film star, hailed as one of the best and brightest actresses of her generation, being a people-pleaser – but Florence Pugh admits she is just that.
The 29-year-old, who is the cover star of Harper’s Bazaar’s May issue, tells us that she has struggled with confidence and advocating for herself her entire life. Despite a cool veneer of self-assurance, Pugh has second-guessed many of her choices – particularly when on the receiving end of criticism.
In the latest episode of our Life Lessons video series, the Thunderbolts star explains: “Sometimes I’m like, ‘oh fuck off, don’t be so ridiculous’, and other times I’m like, ‘oh that really hurt my heart and maybe they’re right, and I did think maybe I shouldn’t have worn that short dress...’.
“It’s constantly evolving. And think it’s always because your mental health and your mood is constantly changing.”
But there is one piece of life advice that she received from a female friend that Pugh says she now has “lodged in her brain” to prevent constantly worrying about what others think.
“I heard it recently,” Pugh explains, before imparting the wisdom: “When you stop people-pleasing, people will stop being pleased – and that’s OK.
“It’s such a simple sentence, but it blew my mind.”
It’s not the only life advice Pugh abides by, with the star hoping to pour positive energy into a world (and industry) that can often be difficult and cold.
“[Success] is going to feel far away and it’s going to be very hard, but it should be enjoyable,” she says. “I do personally believe that if you are a good person with the right energy, then you are deserving of that.
“And I also believe that all those people that I remember watching growing up or I remember meeting [with good energy] have all become huge stars. Good people want good people to thrive, and people like watching good people thrive. So remember to be good!”
Of course, Pugh adds, it’s not always easy to advocate for yourself.
“I’m still learning to know my worth,” she says. “I think it’s natural when you are young, or at any age, to struggle with it. Once you know your worth, you’re unstoppable.
“You have to keep reminding yourself, looking back at what you’ve done and looking at what you’ve achieved. It’s definitely not something that just happens – it will grow.”
